A Q&A with Jithya from Navangi

I was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Australia when I was five, and I’m now based in Brisbane. My background spans across different roles in formalwear, bridal, and luxury fashion. My previous work was primarily styling-focused, which has allowed me to work closely with women and truly understand their needs when it comes to feeling confident and comfortable in what they wear.

Beyond fashion, I’ve always had a deep passion for psychology – particularly child psychology, which I originally intended to pursue as a career. While that mission remains close to my heart and is a long-term focus, I have shifted my focus to design, channelling my understanding of human behaviour into creating garments that empower women and influence how they feel and present themselves.

My approach to design is deeply influenced by a combination of industry experience and a genuine curiosity about human behaviour. Over the past five years as a stylist, I’ve had the unique opportunity to be in constant conversation with women – hearing firsthand their frustrations, desires, and preferences. In many ways, this became an ongoing, real-world study of what women truly need and want from their wardrobes. My brand Navangi is a direct result of these insights – built to empower, support, and simplify women’s lives without sacrificing elegance or ease. 

At Navangi, I’ve built a concept around the realities of modern womanhood, with the knowledge that we often juggle multiple roles in a single day. I wanted to create pieces that seamlessly adapt with you, allowing you to transform your outfit on the go without needing to stop or compromise. For me, this was never about following fast fashion trends or cutting corners. It was about crafting a thoughtful solution – garments that are sculpting, comfortable, and contour the body, all while upholding the highest standard of quality. 

Manufacturing locally has allowed me to be deeply involved in every step, from the fit and construction to the finer details of a garment that make all the difference. It gave me the control to ensure nothing was rushed, and every decision – from fabric to finish – aligned with my vision. Navangi is a brand built on intention and care, with each piece designed to support women in every facet of their day, without sacrificing quality or comfort.

My vision for Navangi goes far beyond creating garments, it’s about standing beside women who expect more from life and from themselves. I want Navangi to reflect the reality of modern women: those balancing careers, families, personal growth, and ambitions without ever having to sacrifice comfort, confidence, or style.

Too often, society penalises women for doing it all – qualities like ambition, confidence, and strength are celebrated in men, but used to diminish women. Navangi exists to challenge that. I want this brand to recognise, support, and celebrate the unseen labour and adaptability women show every day – not as “too much,” but as powerful.

Through thoughtful, versatile design and genuine conversations, my goal is to be a constant source of support, no matter what stage of life a woman is in.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been finding the right people to work with – whether it’s suppliers or manufacturers. The wrong partnerships can set you back significantly, so aligning with those who genuinely support your vision and values is crucial.

Thankfully, my experience in both sales and psychology taught me the importance of doing the groundwork – researching thoroughly, asking the right questions, and filtering through options to find the right fit. I leaned on my network, stayed persistent, and learned to trust those few key people who truly understood and believed in what I’m building. It’s something I’ll continuously work on as the business grows, but knowing the power of strong relationships has been invaluable.